Saint Ignatius of Loyola

On this final day of July, the Universal Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Saint Ignatius is known as the founder of the Society of Jesus, but we know them as the Jesuit Order. It is said that Saint Ignatius exercised a most fruitful apostolate by his written works and how he trained his disciples. Of course, the Jesuit Order is still going strong today. As part of the opening prayer states: "God gave Saint Ignatius to the Church to bring greater glory to His name." How powerful is the name of Jesus? The entrance antiphon to the Mass says it all and it is one of my favorite scripture passages: "At the name of Jesus every knee must bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; every tongue should proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord" (Phil. 2:10-11). This is a scripture passage that I think about every time I genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament. We are to show proper honor, reverence, and respect to the name and presence of Our Lord. Pray that Saint Ignatius will intercede for us and may we grow in love for Jesus because there is power in his name. Have a blessed day!